[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-84":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After the Sky Fell",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2280940,4462,"Chapter 84: 85. The Situation Becomes Clear (Ally Master Bonus: Chu Shenxing)","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-84",84,"\u003Cp>85. Chapter 85: The Situation Becomes Clear (Ally Master Bonus: Chu Shenxing)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether out of curiosity for the strange artifact or confidence in his own strength, Li Shaoqing, vice president of the Cultivator Association, blocked Yang Yi Long and walked straight toward the bone mural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one opposed his action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone needed to see directly how sinister this artifact, as described by Zhang Lei, truly was—could even cultivators who had awakened their spiritual sense resist it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After I destroyed it, the artifact’s influence range shrank significantly,” Li Yi said, his eyes glowing faintly; he saw a halo still enveloping the bone mural, covering only about seven to eight meters around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant only those who entered this range would be affected by the mural’s illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Yi noticed through observation that all four spiritual sense cultivators present could not see the illusion’s boundary—only he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it because I broke the illusion, or because of the Bone-to-Flesh Method? I felt a subtle change within me the moment the Bone-to-Flesh Method succeeded—my scattered consciousness coalesced into a single ‘person.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it. This isn’t the time to ponder such questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi expelled these chaotic thoughts from his mind and fixed his gaze on Li Shaoqing ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing had already stepped across the boundary and entered the illusion’s range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body froze in place, then his eyes glazed over as his consciousness sank into the illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Shaoqing is truly affected—Zhang Lei was right. Anyone who approaches this artifact is influenced. The bone mural’s energy field spans roughly eight meters—not large, considering it’s a damaged artifact,” Yang Yi Long’s eyes flickered as he made an immediate, precise calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An eight-meter energy field could sustain cultivation for over a dozen cultivators—significant value. Now we wait to see how long Li Shaoqing takes to escape. If even he can’t subdue this artifact, it’s hardly worth fighting over,” Wei Bin’s gaze shifted as he began estimating the artifact’s worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi,” Zhang Lei called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain, what is it?” Li Yi looked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten minutes. Give Li Shaoqing ten minutes. When time’s up, pull him out of the illusion,” Zhang Lei said. “Only you’ve passed the illusion’s trial—you’re immune. You’re the only one suited for this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Li Yi agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was one reason he’d been summoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long studied Li Yi with mild surprise: “A spiritual medium cultivator can resist the artifact’s influence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei snorted lightly: “This artifact’s illusion tests one’s inner nature, not strength. With sufficient inner cultivation, even an ordinary person can break free. Li Yi is exceptional—with immense potential. My Investigation Bureau will train him intensively. Yang Yi Long, I don’t care how you bullied him before, but from now on, Li Yi’s affairs are my affairs. If you dare touch him again, I won’t let you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long’s face darkened: “So you think I’m a despicable man who bullies newcomers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you?” Zhang Lei said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long couldn’t help but take several deep breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed his past misdeeds could never be washed clean—was there no sincerity or trust between people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haven’t you noticed the outfit Li Yi is wearing? It’s nearly identical to mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it. Forget it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long refused to argue like a shrew; he chose silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds ticked by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing showed no sign of awakening—he couldn’t escape the illusion so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Breaking free from the Bone Contemplation alone is too hard—you must be fearless and desireless,” Li Yi thought. “If I hadn’t cleverly used the Bone-to-Flesh Method to see my true self, I’d have fallen too. Li Shaoqing, entering the illusion without understanding its nature, has only one fate: to be trapped and die within.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing remained motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like he failed,” Zhang Lei smiled. “Too bad. Even when given the chance, you can’t take this artifact. Li Yi, bring him back. This matter must end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said nothing and walked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entered the illusion’s range without effect, lifted the frozen Li Shaoqing, and carried him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the body left the mural’s influence, the consciousness would also break free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing’s eyes regained their luster—he awoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a drowning man, he staggered, gasping for air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Shaoqing, even you can’t subdue this damaged artifact?” Yang Yi Long asked immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bone… beauty. Fascinating. Truly fascinating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After calming himself, Li Shaoqing laughed: “Life and death, beauty, fear and desire—this illusion seems simple but holds great terror. It traps the mind, impossible to escape. This artifact refines the spirit. It touches the soul’s mysteries—I sense that if one can pierce this illusion, breaking through to spiritual sense will be effortless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Yang Yi Long shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This artifact could help one break through to spiritual sense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If true, even the risk of being trapped would be worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, Li Shaoqing, who had just spoken, suddenly lifted his head—deadly killing intent erupted, and he vanished from his spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No good—it’s Li Shaoqing’s Divine Step Technique. He’s attacking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long froze, muscles tensing, immediately assuming a fighting stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it came too suddenly—even he had just reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as he formed his stance, a heavy crash echoed beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long was unharmed. Zhang Lei was unharmed. Li Yi was unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Wei Bin, farthest from them, bore the full force of Li Shaoqing’s blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spat blood, flew backward, and slammed into a concrete wall—its surface cracked violently from the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Shaoqing, are you insane? Why ambush me?” Wei Bin roared, eyes turning red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t rage at such a dishonorable sneak attack?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing reappeared, striding toward Wei Bin: “Zhang Lei, Yang Yi Long, join me and kill Wei Bin. These are just vagrants from the Ruined District—they have no right to participate in artifact distribution. Let him exit first. The rest we three will decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei’s interest stirred immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long hesitated—he didn’t understand Li Shaoqing’s move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it, Li Shaoqing, this isn’t over between us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Bin felt a chill of death—he couldn’t stay. He unleashed his guiding technique fully, pushed off the ground, and fled the building at top speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Severely wounded, if he didn’t escape now, he’d die here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing made no move to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei wanted to act but hadn’t expected Wei Bin to flee so decisively—he sighed inwardly, missing the opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These Ruined District cultivators are tough to kill,” Li Shaoqing shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his sudden strike had left Yang Yi Long drenched in cold sweat—if Li Shaoqing had targeted him, he couldn’t have countered—he’d have taken the full blow like Wei Bin, severely injured, forced out of the artifact’s contest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Shaoqing, what are you planning?” Yang Yi Long asked coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing didn’t answer. He turned to the other side: “Zhang Lei, you’re the Investigation Bureau’s battalion commander, and you discovered this damaged artifact first. I’ll cooperate with you to secure it for the Bureau—but in exchange, you must keep it in Tianchang City, and I must be allowed to apply for its temporary use. Deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei paused, then understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Li Shaoqing had suddenly attacked Wei Bin—he didn’t want those vagrants interfering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Wei Bin gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only three remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever Li Shaoqing backed would claim the artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only back the Investigation Bureau—because Zhang Lei held the card: Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among everyone involved, inside or outside the building, only Li Yi could remove this artifact—no one else could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing, having experienced the illusion, knew this best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing preferred to ride the current and maximize his own gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei, now understanding, laughed heartily: “No wonder you’re vice president of the Cultivator Association, Li Shaoqing. Your proposal is impossible to refuse. Fine—I’ll push to keep this artifact in the Bureau, and I’ll approve your application for temporary use.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you,” Li Shaoqing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yang Yi Long’s face turned black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So… he’d done nothing—and been kicked out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Shaoqing, what are you thinking? If we join forces, this artifact belongs to the Cultivator Association,” Yang Yi Long began—but was cut off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you even take it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shaoqing’s smile vanished: “Even I was fooled by the illusion and couldn’t subdue it. Yang Yi Long, you’re no different. Investigation Bureau reinforcements will arrive in under an hour. Do you think we’ll still have a chance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi Long, a sharp man, fell silent at the reminder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can’t subdue it, you can’t take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The longer they waited, the bigger the winner became—the Investigation Bureau. Though outnumbered now, with time, they could summon hundreds of cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation seemed unclear—but the moment Li Shaoqing failed to break the illusion instantly, the outcome was sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, take the artifact back to the training base. This matter ends here,” Zhang Lei ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi understood—Zhang Lei was making sure everyone else gave up for good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he could move the odd artifact, there would be no further doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>",1526,"2026-06-20T01:26:56.586Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a6aa654a29bfc38b5f16df6f113eb737ac5e22c007e5b4c6ff1b702dc68dfbc0","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-85","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-83",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]